So sorry for the wait guys! The good news is that I have another chapter written after this so keep an eye out for that in the next couple of days. Thank you to all who have read and reviewed in my absence, you guys are the best.
All my love, Kiad.
In the Light of The Dark
How to Raise Wolves
Chapter Three – Creaking Wheels
He wasn't sure what had happened between the two of them, the previous morning, but he knew that whatever it was; had caused something to shift in their relationship. Remus had been acting awfully odd since their discussion on the bridge and Sirius, in truth; was worried. He had shaken it off the day before, needing to deal with Frank before worrying about anything else, but now? Now he couldn't ignore it for much longer.
"We need to talk about what happened yesterday." He said softly, not wanting to wake Harry or the Longbottoms. It was still early. Too early for the sun to have risen yet but he'd heard Remus's breathing change about an hour ago, and knew that the werewolf had woken from a bad dream. It hadn't been a nightmare; he hadn't screamed or moaned, but the gasp that he had woken with, and the heavy breathing which had followed told Sirius that it had been unpleasant. "I know you're awake Moony." He said, when he didn't get an answer. Amusement graced his lips with a smile as the man's breath hitched.
"Now is not the time Pads." Remus reluctantly replied, knowing that Sirius would not call a third time. "We will have that conversation but not today."
"Did I hurt you?" Sirius asked, running back over their interaction in his head. "With what I said yesterday?"
"It doesn't matter Padfoot."
"It does to me. I need you Remus. If we're going to go through with this plan then I need you by my side as we do."
"And you will always have me Sirius." Remus replied. He meant every word. Even if Sirius didn't understand why;he knew that he would be at his mate's side, whatever they went through. Moony saw Padfoot as the Alfa, he always had, and that meant that as the mate of an Alfa he would be by Sirius's side for the rest of their lives. He could do no less. "I'm here to stay."
"I know Moony." But he didn't know, Remus thought bitterly. "You're my best friend." He had never wanted to rant and rave at Sirius any more than he did in that moment and if it hadn't been for his personal promise to be a complete bastard and drop it out in front of Arcturus the next week, he would have explained to Sirius there and then how ludicrous that statement was. It was only fair that he got to play games too. Sirius could spin the 'best friends' tale any which way he wanted, but he had been deluding himself for years now. They both had.
"Have you given any more thought on what to do about Minerva?" He asked, desperate for a change of discussion.
"I have no idea." The man replied with a sigh, not pleased at his friend's avoidance, but satisfied at least that whatever had happened yesterday had passed between them. "I don't like the idea of her being in that castle around the old coot. Especially alone."
"I think I might have a solution." Remus replied, unsure of how to pitch his idea. "However, it could be dangerous and I honestly don't know if Dumbledore would go for it."
"What are you thinking?"
"One of us joins Hogwarts as staff." He replied, amusement rising in his chest at the deafening silence that fell over them.
"Moony are you completely crazy?" Sirius hissed, after the shock had passed (it took a while). "Joining the staff up there would put us in direct danger of Dumbledore. Don't you think our current plan is bat-shit insane enough before adding a completely new level of danger to it?"
"It makes sense to have a wage coming in if we are going to adopt a small child." Remus replied calmly. It had been something he had been toying with in his mind for a while. After spending time in Minerva's mind, and catching glimpses of how dangerous the old coot really was, he knew that she'd either need protecting or removing from the castle.
"We won't need one if we're going to my grandfather." Sirius replied. It would look suspicious if we were after a wage, as well as leeching from the Black family."
"Then we don't tell Dumbledore how close you are to the Blacks. We spin it that, although you have been in touch with Arcturus, you refuse to accept any money that comes from bloodstained hands, and the manor in which we are bound to be accommodated in can become Arcturus's way of keeping an eye on you, lest you go running off again. We spin it that you are moving to take over as head of the Black family to assist the light. A Gryffindor Black, in a nest of snakes."
"Before we even contemplate this, we have to get it approved by old Arc." Sirius said. "It might end up being nipped in the bud before it's even got off the ground, so we need a back-up, and fast." Remus had known that his mate would likely reject the idea at first glance, but the seed had been planted in the Black's brain, and he knew that Sirius was prone to brooding over such matters. He saw Hogwarts in their future. For now, though he would go along with Sirius's insistence of a back-up. It was only logical that they plan for any eventuality.
O_o_O_o_O
Minerva felt her stomach roll as she pressed the muggle buzzer that would allow her access to the doghouse. Her visit with Augusta, some weeks before, had been her first, but certainly not her last, and she had become a regular visitor to the Oxford residence as she worked with Remus to restore her mindscape. There was no denying that Dumbledore had done a number on her, and as she was piecing it back together, she found herself growing more furious with the man she had grown to trust. She wasn't ashamed to admit that as a school girl, he had turned her head. Like girls all over the world she had found herself with an attraction to one of her teachers. A charismatic man with a head full of striking auburn hair and intelligent enough to keep up with her, even at that age.
As a girl she had never even considered marriage. She found most men dull and boring, and often, about intelligent as flobberworms. But Albus had been different. He had been her first fancy and though she had ended up marrying; back in her younger years, she had always held a small flame for the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
That flame had been extinguished as soon as she had found out that he had been in her head. She had come to the realisation that although he'd turned down the most powerful position in their world, Dumbledore was in the most dangerous position he could be in. It had allowed him to breed all but a handful of their population to look up to, admire and most dangerously; to trust him. She felt sick.
"Hello professor." Remus greeted as he opened the door to the building, allowing her entry and leading her up to their flat. "Sirius has breakfast on the go if you would care for something to eat." She felt her stomach roll again.
"Just some black tea for me thank you Mr Lupin." Her smile was tight and she started to press her lips together, as if she was afraid that her small meal of toast from the Hogwarts elves would make a sudden reappearance. "I have something to share with you both that might influence how you proceed with your next moves." She said, raising the curiosity of the werewolf as they finally reached the door to their apartment. He quirked an eyebrow but was silent as he let her in, leading her into the kitchen; where Alice was already feeding Neville a small bowl of oatmeal, rather messily. She smiled at Harry who was sat in his own highchair and patiently waiting his turn as Neville seemed to enjoy getting both himself, and his mother coated in his sticky breakfast.
She took a seat and exchanged pleasantries with the young mother; all the while fearing the conversation she was about to have. When Remus appeared with a mug of black tea and a knowing smile, the scot felt herself finally ease. They would get through this, she thought. They'd been through so much already; she was positive that this would be just one more hurdle for them to overcome. She had no doubt that they would.
Half an hour later and the room was full of life, French toast having been passed out to all those present and fresh tea brewed and sat on a tray, in easy reach of anyone who needed a top up.
"You have something to discuss." Sirius started, leaning back in his chair at the dining table and crossing his legs. He really was a picture of pureblood elegance; unmovable and aloof.
"It concerns the prophecy." She said slowly, deciding that it was better to get it out in the open, rather than beating around the bush.
"The one with the power to defeat the dark lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies." Sirius recited. "Yes, we've of heard it."
"I believe it to be a fake." She said, wincing as she expected an imminent explosion and frowning in confusion when all that occurred was a look passing between Remus and Sirius.
"We already know." Remus explained gently. "Or at least we suspected. We would appreciate if you could tell us why you believe the same. You may know something that we don't."
"I found a memory." She said hesitantly, attempting to dig the scene from her mind and bring it to the forefront. "Severus was there, the night the prophecy was leaked."
"We suspected that it was either him or the rat that had leaked it." Remus said with a nod. "After Halloween I think we all assumed that it was the rat."
"He regretted it." Minerva replied. "As soon as he had done it. He knew that Lily had been gifted with Harry, and he came to see me. He asked for my help."
"He had some cheek in doing so." Frank muttered.
"He was scared." Sirius butted in, glancing at Minerva. "He would have been terrified for not only his life but the life of Lily as well. Going against the Dark Lord means death, and he knew that his fate would be execution at least, if he returned to Voldemort, retracting his information."
"He knew that it was a fake." Minerva continued, agreeing completely with everything Sirius had said. "He'd caught Dumbledore and Trelawney in the process of her interview and he knew what Albus had done."
"Then why leak it?" Remus asked. "It doesn't make any sense."
"It does if Dumbledore has been in your memories." She replied. "Severus is one of the best occlumens I have seen in many a generation, I suspect that he broke through at least an obliviate and a compulsion. But he wasn't making sense, and before I could piece together what he was saying we were caught by Dumbledore."
"So, Snape is as much Dumbledore's puppet as he is Voldemort's." Sirius said with a sigh. "I hate to say this but I believe we have no other choice but to approach him. If what you suspect is right, then it sounds like the old coot has done a number on him."
"He might not have joined the 'Eaters of his own accord." Remus said quietly. Sirius snorted loudly at that and shook his head.
"No, I fully believe that he had every intention of joining the Dark Lord, I just don't think he quite realised what he'd signed up for. I think he ended up going to Dumbles for help and got more than he bargained for on that end too."
"If we can come to an agreement then it would give us the pair of eyes in the castle that we have been looking for."
"Are you planning on replacing me Mr Lupin?" Minerva asked with a raised eyebrow at the subsequent blush that had appeared on the werewolf's cheeks.
"No ma'am." He said. "We are just worried about you being so close to Dumbledore, and figured that the best way to protect you…"
"Would be to join the staff yourselves, or at least canvas the rest of us to acquire me a babysitter. Have you gone completely mad Mr Lupin or is it just the time of the month that is affecting your faculties?" Alice choked on the tea that she had unfortunately just sipped and Sirius burst out into laughter at the sight of it spraying from her nose. Remus had gone beet red and Frank just looked painfully confused. She figured they'd yet to have that conversation with the Longbottoms and was interested to see how it would end up playing out.
"I assure you Minnie that my faculties are indeed intact. We would never dream of hiring you a babysitter. Think of Severus becoming more like a bodyguard."
"I can look after myself thank you very much." Minerva bristled. "I'm not past it yet you know."
"We know." Sirius butted in after he'd helped Alice mop up the spilt tea from the table. "But Dumbledore has been in your mind before without you knowing. We'd just feel better if we knew that you were going to be safe up there."
"None of us are safe Mr Black." She said softly; painfully reminding herself that these were still young men. Men who had already seen war, and suffered losses to it. Men who were barely in their twenties and now planning a near on suicide mission in order to keep the rest of their small family safe. To keep her safe. "It is very nice of you both to consider me in you schemes. I will accept what measures you deem necessary to keep me safe, with the exception of any of the people in this room joining the staff at Hogwarts. Your main priority should be Harry and Neville. Not an old tabby cat like me."
"We won't join the staff." Sirius said, shaking his head. "Nor will we allow you to return to the castle after Christmas without sufficient protection. You are one of our main priorities too professor. You are family, and I'll be damned if I'm going to lose you to some old codger who is one gobstone short of a full set." She felt herself choke up and pushed the feeling away before she made a fool of herself.
"That is very gallant of you Mr Black." She said softly; her eyes suspiciously wet. The room fell quiet and Remus figured that now was as good a time as any to change the subject. He swallowed heavily and glanced at Alice, who gave the subtlest of nods.
"There is something else we need to tell you."
O_o_O_o_O
Arcturus Black was a powerful man. A man of influence and political prowess. He prided himself on being at least three steps ahead of everyone else in the room, and he wielded his intelligence like a sword. Three steps ahead of everyone else and yet; he had failed to foresee this.
"Maybe the runt is leading you on a merry chase. He's a Dumbledore man Arcturus, you lost him years ago."
"And whose fault is that?" He snapped, glaring at his visitor. "It was your daughter and her hatred that caused all of this. At least my son had the good sense to back off when he did. You have filled Walburga's head with delusions Pollux, and we lost the heir to the Black family because of it."
"The runt will never be head." Pollux Black sneered; his cold silver eyes flashing maliciously. "He is for the light. The family magic will never accept him for what he's done." A malicious grin formed on his face, and if it wasn't for the spells protecting his study Arcturus would have quite happily cursed it off.
"You're forgetting cousin that the time he spent at the Potter's was spent under your sister's watchful eye. Both of your sisters have been the best of us, and I cannot ignore the fact that Dorea cared for him in a time when we couldn't."
"Dorea was a soft-hearted fool! Surely you have heard the rumour of what she did for Lily Potter?" Arcturus shot up from his desk to tower over the smaller man.
"No one can ever find out what happened that night." He hissed. "Swear to me that what she did or did not do will remain between us. Swear to me!" Triumph flashed in the smaller man's eyes at his outburst, but he was past caring. There was information in this world that was not meant for sharing or gossiping about, and the fated night of Dorea Potter's death was one such example. He would allow Pollux this small victory if it meant keeping a child safe, and he watched as the man cut his hand and gave the enchantment, binding them both in a vow of silence. His attention turned back to his desk and the open letter resting upon the cherry wood. "Now for the matter of our grandson." He said, sitting back down and conceding that the discussion of Dorea was over. "I intend to invite him to meet on Wednesday. That gives all of us three days with which to prepare ourselves for what is to come."
"You cannot possibly be serious Arcturus!" Pollux cried flying from his chair to pace the study. "He will drive this house into the ground and you know it!"
"Sirius has much to learn, I have never denied that. Again, it is down to the failings of our own children, and as such, it is the responsibility of us to ensure he learns what he needs to know. He speaks of information that may be useful going forwards. I have never followed the dark lord, and I have no intentions of following Dumbledore either. Both the light and dark sects have much to answer for in regards to the state of our world and I intend for our house to be at the forefront of any political changes that are about to happen. I also intend for it to be Sirius who is charged with the running of this family. I will not hear another word against this, as it is my decision to make as current head of this house."
"You will ruin us all."
"Then stay out of my way, or I will ruin you first." Arcturus replied, stalking over to throw a handful of Floo powder into the fire. "Toujours Pur." He said; reciting the customary greeting. Pollux glared at him before repeating the phrase and stepping through the fire. He promptly shut down all access to the manor and grabbed Sirius's letter on his way out of his study. He needed to talk to his wife.
O_o_O_o_O
"So, you believe Snape can be trusted?" She asked her friend, filling up their glasses and leaning back into the tartan armchair. Minerva's rooms had always been cosy and homely and the warm fire and the good scotch kept them comfortable as the northern storm whipped past the windows. Things had gone as smoothly as they could have down in Oxford, and when Minerva had announced that she was departing, just after lunch; the Longbottom matriarch had invited herself along to Hogwarts.
"As much as one could trust a spy." Was her friend's dry answer. "I certainly believe he should be brought into our confidence in regards to Dumbledore. Anything else can come later."
"What about the point I raised earlier? Would that make things easier?"
"Let him believe that Arcturus has been turned, and that it is him who is providing the instructions, rather than Sirius? I think it's a risky plan if he finds out the truth, and one which you will have to take to the Lord Black before implementing. I am in no immediate danger and this will have to be planned with no small amount of finesse."
"I rather think that both Sirius and Remus would disagree with you. We all believe you are in danger Minnie. I certainly would feel better, knowing that you are protected up here."
"None of you have put forward the suggestion that I resign." Minerva stated rather than asked.
"Is it something you have considered?" And there it was. The crux of the matter. Yes, she was in a precarious position where she was; being so close to Dumbledore would put anyone in danger, but she was also in the one place she could do the most good.
"I could." She finally admitted after not so small of a pause. "If it works within the best interests of all of us. I have lived a long life Augusta. I am not afraid of death, and I'm not afraid of Dumbledore. What I am afraid of is not being where I'm most needed, and most useful. I have already failed Harry once. I fear of repeating that mistake if I stay here." Augusta found herself giving her response some serious thought. Her friend had been through hell over the past few weeks, and she wanted to make sure that she didn't end up pushing her to making an impulsive decision.
"I think we will all need a cooling off period before we start to make any choices that are going to affect not just our family, but those around us. We have always said that being Headmaster is Dumbledore's most dangerous position; what better way can we counteract it than having you here to undo some of the work he puts in? I know that Sirius and Remus haven't mentioned your resignation because they honestly don't think that you would ever do it. You are loyal to a fault Minnie; you always have been; and I don't believe for a second that your loyalty to this school is capable of wavering. Yes, Dumbledore is in a position of strength, but so are you."
"They have plans for me."
"I honestly don't know. I know that if they do, you will be approached before any of those plans are put into place. They respect you too much to ever betray your trust Minerva, and they are no longer boys."
"No, I suppose they aren't." They both took another mouthful from their respective glasses and allowed the evening to draw on, their attentions turning to the potential fate of Harry and Neville.
O_o_O_o_O
"That all went relatively well I thought." Sirius whispered as they readied themselves to settle down for the night. They were once again on different settees and he knew that another discussion with Remus was on the cards. It would seem that he had hurt his friend more than he had realised.
"The plans we have made, or his reaction to my condition?" Said werewolf asked, amber eyes shining in the semi-darkness of the room.
"Both." It was true that things had gone much smoother than he had anticipated. Frank had shaken his hand, thanking him for trusting him with his secret; after a small moment of shock of course, and Alice had been sneaking knowing smirks at him all day. It would seem as though both of them would have to get used to having the Longbottom women around the house. Augusta had journeyed to Hogwarts with Minerva and had reappeared a couple of hours later; reassured in their friend's loyalty and safety. At least between Augusta and Alice, things wouldn't get boring. A silence fell over them, not uncomfortable, but certainly different than before. "I'm sorry I hurt you Remus." Sirius whispered; breaking it, and cursing himself for doing so when his friend's breath hitched. There was a pregnant pause, both of them holding their breath to see what happened next. A sigh escaped Remus's chest the Black knew he was forgiven.
"It's okay Sirius." Remus knew that the hurt caused by what had happened between them would still take time to disappear, but he also knew that it wasn't Sirius's fault for being completely oblivious. The Black family had a lot to answer for in regards to his friend's emotional development and he knew that it would take a sit down and some balls from him to get through the idiot's thick skull.
The night dragged on, silent and black, and it was only when he heard Sirius's breathing even out, did he finally close his eyes to escape to his dreams.
O_o_O_o_O
Albus Dumbledore was a powerful man. A man of influence and political prowess. He prided himself on being at least three steps ahead of everyone else in the room, and he wielded his intelligence like a sword. All of his pawns were lining up in their correct positions. Harry Potter was safe in the muggle world, hidden from the eyes of anyone who might question the child rearing skills of one Petunia Dursley. Sirius Black was back in Oxford with his pet wolf, licking the wounds of Halloween, and the Longbottoms had appeared to have gone underground ever since their Yorkshire manor was attacked. They hadn't even appeared at the trial, and he doubted whether they would ever show their faces in Britain again.
He had been there, earlier that day; when the Longbottom Bear had flared and bowed; dulling the house's Wizengamot seat until an heir dared return to these shores. All that was left was to manoeuvre the rest of the grey houses into obscurity. Amelia Bones had yet to take up her seat after the death of her brother and his wife, and he could quite easily have her take over the DMLE, pushing her into a ministry seat and denying the greys another three votes. Yes, things were moving nicely towards his end goal and he still had a decade before his queen arrived in Hogwarts. It would be a shame for his prized piece to have to die, but as he had learned over many years; sometimes a piece would have to be sacrificed for the greater good.
O_o_O_o_O
"This is your decision to make my love." She said softly, rubbing her husband's shoulders as he stared at the piece of parchment before him. "You can either believe this letter is a fake, or you can't. If you believe it is then burn it, forget about it and leave them all to stew in the stench of their own making, otherwise write to them and go ahead with your meeting. There is nothing stopping you kicking them out of the front door if on Wednesday you believe this to be a lie."
"Of all the things Sirius is, and has been; not once has he ever lied to me. If this is fake, then it is Dumbledore's doing and not our grandson's." Following his meeting with Pollux, earlier that day, he had made a point of seeking his wife out. She always gave the best advice. The wider wizarding world had always believed that the Black males were some of the most powerful people in their country, but in truth it was the women of the Black family; both born and married into, that were the real intelligence behind the house. Black's didn't marry for looks or power; their ancestors had chosen the most intelligent spouses of their time, regardless of the house or sect they came from; and the likes of Ursula Flint and Hesper Gamp had helped build the house into what it was today, all the while working through their husbands.
"Then you already have your answer." Melania replied. She was his rock and anchor in his duties as house lord, and contrary to popular belief, she knew more about the running of the family than anyone but him.
"My love, if this really is the truth, and not just some ploy from Dumbledore; then it is not just our house that is in danger, but our entire world. Our way of life has already been endangered by that man, and if this is the lengths he is going to go to, then I fear for what the next few years are going to bring." She finally moved to take a seat on the other side of his desk and she reached out to clasp his hands in hers and squeeze them reassuringly.
"I don't believe for a second that our grandson has not already started to plan. Remus Lupin is no slouch either and I am positive that there are already things in motion that he hasn't mentioned in that letter. They already have a good support network around them Arcturus; but we can provide them with the protection they need to see those plans through. Yes, our world is in danger; but when have we put anyone first before family?"
"Toujours Pur."
"Exactly my love. Family before anything else. Now come to bed, you're going to need the sleep for what is to come."
O_o_O_o_O
Whilst the wheels of power were starting to creak into motion, there was one couple who were desperate for things to remain unchanged on their side of the great divide. The small bundle, deposited into their arms three weeks prior; was precious beyond their comprehension. Or so they had been told. That this bundle contained a pair of purple eyes and a head full of black curls, told them that this child would need to be hidden from the other side for as long as possible.
Daniel Granger was the brother in law of one Ted Tonks, and he and his wife were now in possession of one of five children, born with Fate's favour and born as a true-blood Black. One of five children; destined to either save the world, or to end it.
So things are moving. Let me know what you think!